The shell of St. Stephen’s in Douglas, Arizona, stands after it was destroyed by a May 22, 2023, arson fire. Photo: Jennifer Reddall
[Episcopal News Service] On Jan. 7, the man who set the fire that destroyed St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Douglas, Arizona, was sentenced to 36.5 years in prison.
Eric Ridenour, 60, was convicted in July 2024 by a federal jury on six counts relating to the May 22, 2023, fires that also heavily damaged the neighboring First Presbyterian Church. Those counts were arson, arson of property used in interstate commerce, obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by fire and using fire to commit federal felony.
The indictment, which had accused Ridenour of hate crimes, said he intentionally started the fires “because of his hostility toward their progressive doctrines, particularly their practice of having women and members of the LGBTQ community serve as church leaders.”
A news report said that during his sentencing, Ridenour, who served as his own attorney, “quoted Bible verses that he said showed he was right to burn the churches and that the church congregations were wrong to allow female and gay leaders.”
In a message to the diocese, Arizona Bishop Jennifer Reddall reaffirmed the church’s commitment to LGBTQ+ people, saying, “I wish to state unequivocally that The Episcopal Church welcomes all people to ministry and worship, regardless of their gender and sexuality. We do so not despite our faith in Jesus, but because of our faith in Jesus. We believe in the Jesus of the Holy Scriptures who consistently invited people who were on the margins to follow him: Samaritans, women, the Centurion, and those who were poor, mourning or ill. “
She added, “The Diocese of Arizona will continue to follow Jesus in this way, even when it makes us vulnerable to the actions of a hateful few. We do so in the confidence that the love of God is more powerful than sin, and that the healing grace of the Spirit will bring resurrection out of even the bleakest days.”
Reddall offered her thanks to the law enforcement officials who worked to hold Ridenour accountable and to Federal Judge Scott Rash, who handed down a sentence that she hopes “might offer closure and a sense of justice for those most affected.”
She also asked people to continue to pray for both St. Stephen’s and First Presbyterian, which she said “are continuing to thrive, to rebuild, to worship, and to minister to their community.”
— Melodie Woerman is an Episcopal News Service freelance reporter based in Kansas.